President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated that restoring peace, strengthening national security, and expanding economic opportunities remain central to his administration’s agenda.
Speaking in Lokoja at the memorial of former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris—who represented the President—said the government is fully mobilised to confront insecurity and protect citizens across the country.
“We are under no illusions about the recent setbacks and security challenges that have tested our nation’s resolve,” the President said. “The security and welfare of every Nigerian remain the sacred priority of my government. We have therefore taken decisive action.”
He noted that the recently declared State of Emergency on national security signals a renewed and comprehensive national response, including manpower expansion across the armed forces, modernised intelligence systems, and strategic reforms such as the advancement of State Police.
“This is not a mere proclamation; it is a declaration of war against all forms of insecurity,” he said. “We will hunt the enemies of our state wherever they may be and restore the peace that is the rightful inheritance of every Nigerian.”
The President said the push for State Police is a bold but necessary constitutional step aimed at delivering community-sensitive security solutions and enhancing local employment.
Beyond security, President Tinubu said the Federal Government is intensifying diplomatic engagements to correct global misconceptions about Nigeria’s religious harmony and peaceful coexistence.
Reflecting on the late Prince Audu’s legacy, President Tinubu described him as a visionary leader whose political career helped shape the modern governance framework of Kogi State and Nigeria’s democratic stability.
“Prince Abubakar Audu was a pathfinder,” he said. “He was my formidable ally and a founding father whose courage and conviction helped lay the foundations of our democratic ideals. His legacy is a living template of bold leadership and transformative governance.”
President Tinubu also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and social welfare, including the modernisation of the livestock sector to convert historical tensions into economic engines.
“We are launching comprehensive initiatives to modernise the livestock industry—from large-scale ranching schemes to integrated value chains—ensuring food security, creating jobs, and fostering peace between farming and herding communities,” he announced.
He added that the administration is scaling up Social Investment Programmes to support vulnerable Nigerians, strengthen small and medium enterprises, and equip young people with skills for global competitiveness.
The President further disclosed that the government is embarking on an unprecedented expansion of national infrastructure, including upgraded road networks, rail systems, and power facilities.
“We are building the arteries that will connect our markets, power our industries, and unite our people,” he said. “The legacy of development Prince Audu began in Kogi is a model we are determined to replicate across the nation.”